Protest leaders meet Pakistan Army chief

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) leaders Friday met the Army Chief Raheel Sharif to find a solution to end the on-going political crisis in the country.

This development came after PTI leader Imran Khan and PAT leader Tahir-ul-Qadri Thursday accepted the role of the army chief as a mediator and guarantor in solving the current political impasse, Xinhua reported.

The protests launched by Imran Khan and Tahir-ul-Qadri began Aug 15 over the issue of the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who is accused of rigging the 2013 general elections.

On Friday, Army spokesman Major General Asim Bajwa said both Khan and Qadri met the army chief separately and agreed to take steps to resume dialogue.

The protest leaders are likely to meet some government ministers to discuss a possible agreement.

The army chief had met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and "exchanged views on the present political deadlock", the Prime Minister's Office said.

Khan and Qadri had told their supporters that they have accepted the army's mediation offer and will wait for more time to address to their demands.